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Armed Yemeni tribal gunmen loyal to fugitive President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi sit on a pickup truck mounted with a machine gun on May 4, 2015 during ongoing clashes with Shiite Houthi rebels in the southern city of Aden. (AFP/Saleh al-Obeidi)

At least 80 Yemenis died in Aden on Wednesday as fighting continued between Houthi militants and supporters loyal to the exiled government, Reuters reported.

Of the 80 who were killed, 40 were killed when they tried to flee the southern port city. Rescue workers and witnesses said the civilians tried to escape by sea and were killed when Houthi fighters shot at their boat. The 50 on board were trying to reach the safer western area of al-Buraiqa.

Residents and local fighters told Reuters the other 40, including a senior army officer, were killing during clashes overnight. Sources estimated 30 of the deceased were Houthi rebels.